Abstract
Aim: To quantify the bystander effect of advanced second generation mobile telephones (2.5G) on the speech perception of in-the-ear (ITE) digital hearing aid users. Materials/Methods: Prospective study conducted at a tertiary referral centre (ENT Department) and a hearing aid-fitting laboratory. Thirty four adults with SNHL were included, and tested with a functioning 2.5G mobile telephone at almost physical contact with their ear. The cut-off inclusion criterion regarding the baseline aided word recognition score was 75%. Results: The ITE group comprised 23 males and 11 females. The mean age was 65 years (age range 24 – 84), and the mean hearing loss in the aided ear 48.73dB. The mean baseline aided word recognition score of the examined ear was 96.94%, and declined to 95.65% following the activation of the mobile phone. The difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). Conclusion: There is statistically significant difference in the speech perception of ITE hearing aid users after the activation of a 2.5G mobile phone at close contact, due to the bystander electromagnetic interference. Although, the clinical importance and the ensuing social impact of the observed decline in speech perception appear minimal, it seems reasonable for designing efforts to focus on establishing better hearing immunity for ITE hearing aids.
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